Ford Employee Sylvester Rypkowski Checking into Work with His Service Dog "Blackie," October 1942

Henry Ford believed in providing equal employment opportunities to people with disabilities -- a practice he began in the early years of his company. During World War II, Ford employed thousands of workers with disabilities. In October 1942, Ford Motor Company photographed Sylvester Rypkowski and his service dog, Blackie, as they became members of the Rouge plant's workforce.